Although most recreational race teams aim to focus on teamwork, living up to that ideal is often easier said than done. Most teams simply don’t have the depth to successfully execute team tactics, especially at the beginner levels (category 5 and 4), but even for the teams that do have depth, racing team culture is often more Darwinian and less collaborative, resulting in rider turnover and a tad of animus toward the racing community.
Jason Cemanski, Bill Booth, and Travis Biechele of Cycle U/Apex Racing have an ambitious vision for teamwork that extends across their entire team—from category 5 newcomers to established category 2 racers. Their infectious enthusiasm (hanging out with these guys is like hanging out with a trio of puppy dogs) is getting attention: This year Cycle U/Apex has grown from 30 to 67 members, and has attracted the likes of Jennifer Wheeler, Mick Walsh, and Chris Ragsdale.
Their vision is based on the recognition that they are simply amateurs out to have fun racing bikes. They are building a system that proactively develops category 4 and 5 racers to their full potential. The trio acknowledges they are still learning, but they are committed to sharing the experience they do have with the team’s category 4 and 5 racers. Prior to every race they assist in developing race plans, and they do post-race debriefs about what did and didn’t work as a way to improve in future races. This process is enabling every Cycle U/Apex racer to play a role in the team’s success. Biechele says: “We are family, no matter the category.”
Their story is also one of friendship nurtured by racing and suffering together on the bike. Jason and Travis were initially on different teams—Jason on Apex and Travis on CycleU. They quickly discovered one another since they were both winning races. As they got to know one another they realized they would enjoy even more success through shared work and suffering, and the Cycle U/Apex teamwork project was up and running.
Ravensdale 2011
Travis and Jason cemented their connection at the 2011 Ravensdale Road Race. Two laps into the race the duo were on the front casually chatting when they realized they had a gap. A few moments later Jed Barden (Farestart) bridged up to announce, “We have a break!” They quickly decided to try to make it stick. After a few more laps they had established a good minute on the field. Jason and Travis were both motivated to stay away because they only needed a few more upgrade points. The trio agreed that Jed would take 1st, Travis 2nd and Jason 3rd. For the rest of the race they relied on their respective strengths to protect Jed and hold off the peloton. Travis took long pulls on the descents and straights (earning the nickname “Diesel”) while Jason paced them up the hills. Meanwhile back in the peloton, Jason Connell and Chad Sullivan (Cycle U) along with Jason’s Apex teammates performed crowd control and kept the break away.
Post-race, Travis and Jason Connell (both with CycleU at that point) encouraged Cemanski to join them at the upcoming Wenatchee Omnium Stage Race.
Wenatchee 2011
During the drive to Wenatchee, they each had plans to recruit one another to their respective teams. Cemanski planned to recruit Biechele and Connell to Apex, and Biechele and Connell planned to recruit Cemanski to Cycle U.
That weekend was more of a friendship-building experience than one of adding to their racing successes. They turned in merely respectable performances in the criterium, and they were all dropped on the road race’s infamous ~10-mile climb.
2011 Boston Harbor Circuit Race
Bill Booth had begun to appear on their radar and they agreed they wanted to add him to their crew. Booth was riding unattached at the 2011 Boston Harbor Circuit Race, but as a way to build a relationship with him, Cemanski, Biechele, and the rest of Apex’s category 4 squad supported his effort to win.
2011 Eatonville Road Race
The now threesome came into the Eatonville Road Race as category 3s, and building on their previous successes they planned to hit it hard. Unfortunately there was miscommunication and their strategy didn’t work. Despite the race not going the way they wanted, their friendship and vision for racing bicycles continued to gel.
2012 Sequim #2
As category 3s at the second race of the 2012 Sequim series they constantly attacked and positioned themselves to get in a break. They eventually got in an eight-man break that stuck with 60 miles to go. As the miles passed, the break dwindled to four or five riders and Booth attacked at 1km from the finish. The competitors had no choice but to chase him down. Biechele was positioned to draft the chasers, and won the sprint to the finish.
They felt they had executed perfect team tactics, and they proved they had the mutual trust necessary for a strong team foundation. As the 2012 season drew to a close Cemanski, Biechele and Booth had all upgraded to category 2.
For 2013, Cycle U/Apex has a generous sponsorship relationship with Cycle University, which gives them access to one of the best training facilities in the Seattle area. Coach Todd Baumeister is coordinating team workouts. New racers are expected to take the track class at Marymoor Velodrome and the USAC/CycleU category 5 upgrade clinic to build their bike handling skills and confidence. On the road training for new racers includes close support from the category 2 racers who greatly enjoy teaching and watching the growth and progress of the newer racers.
Cycle U/Apex is currently a mostly men’s team, but is taking early steps to add women (Jennifer Wheeler for starters), and youth (Theo Arden for starters) to the mix.
The trio’s individual goals in 2013 range from learning more from the 1/2 peloton, to venturing into other aspects of bicycle competition. Cemanski aims to be “…the BEST worker horse in the cat 1/2 field…and helping my teammates win races”; Booth aims to “…cause trouble on the front of the race”; and Biechele plans on “…competing in several ultra cycling races…”
Interested in racing?
Bill Booth has this advice: “Start by getting familiar with riding and taking care of bikes. Commute, ride for fun, and get out on the bike as much as you can. Use our phenomenal local resources such as the adult track class at the Marymoor Velodrome and the racing clinics at Cycle University. These skills will give you an advantage as you start your road racing adventure.”
Here in the Seattle area, bicycle racing team “rush” period happens every autumn, and at this point most teams won’t accept new members until next year. In the meantime, in addition to following Bill’s advice, you can race unattached at any of the races listed in the WSBA calendar, and Marymoor provides a welcoming environment for folks who want to try track racing. Once the season gets underway, keep an eye out for beginner clinics at the Tuesday night Pacific Raceways and Thursday night Seward Park races.
